Barefoot & On The Mat April 2021: Spring Has Sprung and I'm Drowning in Pollen!

cyana · 04-02-21, 08:51 AM

Greetings and welcome to the monthly Barefoot & On The Mat check-in!

This is a long-running VF check-in. We're a cozy, friendly group who enjoy a wide variety of workouts, but we have a special fondness for those traditionally done without shoes. If you enjoy yoga, pilates, barre, qi gong, Classical Stretch/Essentrics, Ellen Barrett, etc. (or even if you simply prefer doing traditional workouts without shoes!) you'll feel right at home. It's absolutely fine if you wear shoes while working out too (we won't tell ).

Please feel free to join in. We love hearing from new, returning and guest Mat Mavens. Our welcome mat is always out!

Pat58 · 04-02-21, 09:06 AM

TGIF! Good morning!

Yesterday featured:

~ Completed Holden Qigong 03/22/21 with flows and meditation
~ LWR BRB Challenge Day 27, ten minute lower body on mat
~ 5,000 steps

I finished the BRB challenge! I commented on Lucy's workout and asked if she would please create a playlist of her floor work videos. Fingers crossed. Now that I've completed that challenge I will use more of my Belly Fits for a change.

Thanks for starting the check-in Cyana!

cyana · 04-02-21, 09:42 AM

TGIF - I didn't see an April thread, so hopefully I didn't create a duplicate.

I went out to my black car yesterday and despite some torrential rains this week, it looks like I need to chisel it out of the pollen and the catkins that fall from the oak trees.

Yuck. Here's a good picture of catkins if you haven't had the pleasure: https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-ente...your-oak-tree/

Friday morning fly by - a mockingbird serenaded me for about 10 minutes earlier this AM, so I took that as a signal it was going to be a good day.

I had another stealth work-out yesterday (continuing to have major insomnia, so I've been oversleeping) - I combined the hair dryer work-out with the staff meeting work-out (fortunately I haven't had to use the camera for that conference call, but that may soon change

). The funny thing - I have a bit of DOMS in the legs this AM. I did stability ball crunches (not while drying my hair!!!), squats, calf raises, Essentrics hip cleaners and a variety of hip mobility moves.

Pat - You'll have to let me know if you get a response from Lucy.

Must get back to work. Will check in over the week-end. Waves to ALL.

Paine · 04-02-21, 09:48 AM

This morning I did Essentrics.

Cyana, thank you for starting our April thread!
I had not seen catkins before. I can see how that would cause allergies to act up.
I woke up at 2:30am this morning and never got back to sleep. Sometimes I hate being an old lady.

Beth, I hope your sister will be able to come see you this month.
I have never seen a blue jay in person! Blue jays are pretty.

Pam, I hope your condo sells quickly.

Hi Pat!

yogapam · 04-02-21, 11:53 AM

Good morning!

Yesterday was a city and harbour walkabout, racked up 12,000 steps. We spent a couple of hours clearing out all the cupboards in the condo, packing up dishes and pots and pans to take home for the trailer. Today the cleaners come. I did a nice stretch at bedtime while I listened to an audiobook. We had an outdoor visit with DS1 & family to celebrate our youngest granddaughter’s 5th birthday. It was so nice to see them!

Beth - Good for you for focusing on the positives! Is your sister looking at colleges for one of her kids? They sure grow up fast! I’m glad your co-worker is staying for most of the semester. He does, IMO, owe the students he’s working with some continuity in this trying time.

Pat - Congrats on finishing the challenge! I’m going to try to get a BellyFit or two in each week, need to play catch up with the zoom series.

Cyana - Thanks for starting us off! I had to do an antihistamine stop at the pharmacy yesterday after a couple of sneezing fits. The pollen is out there & one can’t be sneezing or coughing in public these days! We don’t have catkins here but there are lots of cherry blossoms floating around. I love your stealth workouts!

Paine - Sorry you didn’t sleep!

Waves to all!

JustSandra · 04-02-21, 02:32 PM

Oops, posted this in last month's thread! Cyana, thanks for starting us off for April, and Paine, thanks for steering me straight!

Hi all!

Haven't been working out consistently lately but I am getting in some long walks. The weather is warming up here, so soon it won't be feasible to go out walking except for early mornings.

Garrie: Good to hear from you! Very sorry the apartment didn't work out. Real estate is *crazy* where I am, too. My brother, niece and grandniece are crowded in my brother's 2-bedroom place, but I think they are going to just have to adapt. Doing renovation on your SO's place sounds like the best way to go.

Yogapam: Enjoy your stay in the city! Hope all goes well with your condo sale.

Waving to all!

toaster · 04-02-21, 02:35 PM

Paine, that's for the heads up - I seriously could not figure out why Pam posted an "oops" in the last thread!

Sorry for the confusion; obviously I am several days behind. I'll check in later!!!

Paine · 04-02-21, 06:41 PM

This afternoon I was able to take Beth's livestream Yin Yoga class from her yoga studio where she teaches and I loved it--thank you Beth! Beth is a wonderful Yin Yoga instructor. I am a shy, private freak but I didn't have to worry about being seen because none of the livestream students were visible on camera. I even tried to turn on my camera and that option was not available for the livestream class. That Yin yoga session felt good. It was 1 hour and 20 minutes long.

toaster · 04-02-21, 08:44 PM

Aww, Paine, thank you! Yes, the livestreams at the studio are done in webinar format. You can put messages in the chat, but other than that, I only know that you are there because I can see the list of "participants." Usually you can only see the teacher on-screen, but I think you might have also been able to see some of Carol (she would have been on the right), my friend and fellow teacher (one of the ones who rotates with me on Saturdays. I'm glad she came too; she was really complimentary after.

Sandra, your long walks are your consistency! I've been still making myself get outside on at least an occasional basis. It's weird because it was so warm and nice when I went to the studio on Tuesday, but tonight it was cold...brrr!!!

Pam, yes, looking at colleges would be for her middle daughter (my oldest niece is currently a first-year at U of Virginia), but it doesn't sound like they really have a firm plan.

Pat, congrats on finishing the challenge! I'm slowly trying to work my way through an online Pilates challenge.

cyana, thanks for the new thread (even though I was slow to find it). I've definitely seen those pollen things before but had no idea what they were called. Where I grew up in NJ was on the tip of the "Pine Barrens," and we used to get yellow pine pollen covering everything in late spring.

So, work started off with a bang this Monday with the co-worker resignation and ended with a bang yesterday when my boss made a decision that set off a firestorm!

It's too long to go into, but it got mostly resolved today. There are just a lot of chronic issues that have made my department pretty dysfunctional, and it's not my boss's fault because she unknowingly walked into it when she started 2 years ago. I just want to get through the rest of this semester!

On that note, Happy Friday!

Pat58 · 04-03-21, 11:13 AM

Hi everyone!

It seems like a decent weekend is on tap. I went out wearing a sweatshirt hoodie and my down vest instead of a coat and scarf, and plan to visit osprey nest #11 soon.

Last night featured Jane Fonda's Walk Out level 2 walk. I had planned to start Kassandra's PM Yoga challenge but ran out of time.

I'll try to catch up tomorrow morning. Have a lovely day everyone!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

04-02-21, 08:51 AM
cyana Join Date: Dec 2001	Barefoot & On The Mat April 2021: Spring Has Sprung and I'm Drowning in Pollen! Greetings and welcome to the monthly Barefoot & On The Mat check-in! This is a long-running VF check-in. We're a cozy, friendly group who enjoy a wide variety of workouts, but we have a special fondness for those traditionally done without shoes. If you enjoy yoga, pilates, barre, qi gong, Classical Stretch/Essentrics, Ellen Barrett, etc. (or even if you simply prefer doing traditional workouts without shoes!) you'll feel right at home. It's absolutely fine if you wear shoes while working out too (we won't tell ). Please feel free to join in. We love hearing from new, returning and guest Mat Mavens. Our welcome mat is always out! __________________ "People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. Love them anyway." — Mother Teresa "I've decided to grow old disgracefully." - Twigs

04-02-21, 09:06 AM
Pat58 VF Supporter Join Date: May 2002 Location: Connecticut	TGIF! Good morning! Yesterday featured: ~ Completed Holden Qigong 03/22/21 with flows and meditation ~ LWR BRB Challenge Day 27, ten minute lower body on mat ~ 5,000 steps I finished the BRB challenge! I commented on Lucy's workout and asked if she would please create a playlist of her floor work videos. Fingers crossed. Now that I've completed that challenge I will use more of my Belly Fits for a change. Thanks for starting the check-in Cyana!

04-02-21, 09:42 AM
cyana Join Date: Dec 2001	TGIF - I didn't see an April thread, so hopefully I didn't create a duplicate. I went out to my black car yesterday and despite some torrential rains this week, it looks like I need to chisel it out of the pollen and the catkins that fall from the oak trees. Yuck. Here's a good picture of catkins if you haven't had the pleasure: https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-ente...your-oak-tree/ Friday morning fly by - a mockingbird serenaded me for about 10 minutes earlier this AM, so I took that as a signal it was going to be a good day. I had another stealth work-out yesterday (continuing to have major insomnia, so I've been oversleeping) - I combined the hair dryer work-out with the staff meeting work-out (fortunately I haven't had to use the camera for that conference call, but that may soon change ). The funny thing - I have a bit of DOMS in the legs this AM. I did stability ball crunches (not while drying my hair!!!), squats, calf raises, Essentrics hip cleaners and a variety of hip mobility moves. Pat - You'll have to let me know if you get a response from Lucy. Must get back to work. Will check in over the week-end. Waves to ALL. __________________ "People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. Love them anyway." — Mother Teresa "I've decided to grow old disgracefully." - Twigs

04-02-21, 09:48 AM
Paine VF Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010	This morning I did Essentrics. Cyana, thank you for starting our April thread! I had not seen catkins before. I can see how that would cause allergies to act up. I woke up at 2:30am this morning and never got back to sleep. Sometimes I hate being an old lady. Beth, I hope your sister will be able to come see you this month. I have never seen a blue jay in person! Blue jays are pretty. Pam, I hope your condo sells quickly. Hi Pat!

04-02-21, 11:53 AM
yogapam VF Supporter Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West coast of Canada, eh. ;)	Good morning! Yesterday was a city and harbour walkabout, racked up 12,000 steps. We spent a couple of hours clearing out all the cupboards in the condo, packing up dishes and pots and pans to take home for the trailer. Today the cleaners come. I did a nice stretch at bedtime while I listened to an audiobook. We had an outdoor visit with DS1 & family to celebrate our youngest granddaughter’s 5th birthday. It was so nice to see them! Beth - Good for you for focusing on the positives! Is your sister looking at colleges for one of her kids? They sure grow up fast! I’m glad your co-worker is staying for most of the semester. He does, IMO, owe the students he’s working with some continuity in this trying time. Pat - Congrats on finishing the challenge! I’m going to try to get a BellyFit or two in each week, need to play catch up with the zoom series. Cyana - Thanks for starting us off! I had to do an antihistamine stop at the pharmacy yesterday after a couple of sneezing fits. The pollen is out there & one can’t be sneezing or coughing in public these days! We don’t have catkins here but there are lots of cherry blossoms floating around. I love your stealth workouts! Paine - Sorry you didn’t sleep! Waves to all! __________________ **~Pam~** Certified Level 4 Essentrics Instructor - March 2021 Hatha YTT - 2011 Your body keeps an accurate journal regardless of what you write down..... "Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." Jim Rohn "It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.” - Tony Robbins Check out my Instagram account, @fitness.ficti0n.inspirati0n

04-02-21, 02:32 PM
JustSandra Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sacramento, CA	Oops, posted this in last month's thread! Cyana, thanks for starting us off for April, and Paine, thanks for steering me straight! Hi all! Haven't been working out consistently lately but I am getting in some long walks. The weather is warming up here, so soon it won't be feasible to go out walking except for early mornings. Garrie: Good to hear from you! Very sorry the apartment didn't work out. Real estate is crazy where I am, too. My brother, niece and grandniece are crowded in my brother's 2-bedroom place, but I think they are going to just have to adapt. Doing renovation on your SO's place sounds like the best way to go. Yogapam: Enjoy your stay in the city! Hope all goes well with your condo sale. Waving to all! __________________ Sandra "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson

04-02-21, 02:35 PM
toaster Exchange Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Western NY	Paine, that's for the heads up - I seriously could not figure out why Pam posted an "oops" in the last thread! Sorry for the confusion; obviously I am several days behind. I'll check in later!!! __________________ Beth aka Toaster (she/her) *Follow me @YogiBethC* YouTube\|Instagram\|Facebook And yes, I am Reviewer Dr. Beth on Amazon.

04-02-21, 06:41 PM
Paine VF Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010	This afternoon I was able to take Beth's livestream Yin Yoga class from her yoga studio where she teaches and I loved it--thank you Beth! Beth is a wonderful Yin Yoga instructor. I am a shy, private freak but I didn't have to worry about being seen because none of the livestream students were visible on camera. I even tried to turn on my camera and that option was not available for the livestream class. That Yin yoga session felt good. It was 1 hour and 20 minutes long.

04-02-21, 08:44 PM
toaster Exchange Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Western NY	Aww, Paine, thank you! Yes, the livestreams at the studio are done in webinar format. You can put messages in the chat, but other than that, I only know that you are there because I can see the list of "participants." Usually you can only see the teacher on-screen, but I think you might have also been able to see some of Carol (she would have been on the right), my friend and fellow teacher (one of the ones who rotates with me on Saturdays. I'm glad she came too; she was really complimentary after. Sandra, your long walks are your consistency! I've been still making myself get outside on at least an occasional basis. It's weird because it was so warm and nice when I went to the studio on Tuesday, but tonight it was cold...brrr!!! Pam, yes, looking at colleges would be for her middle daughter (my oldest niece is currently a first-year at U of Virginia), but it doesn't sound like they really have a firm plan. Pat, congrats on finishing the challenge! I'm slowly trying to work my way through an online Pilates challenge. cyana, thanks for the new thread (even though I was slow to find it). I've definitely seen those pollen things before but had no idea what they were called. Where I grew up in NJ was on the tip of the "Pine Barrens," and we used to get yellow pine pollen covering everything in late spring. So, work started off with a bang this Monday with the co-worker resignation and ended with a bang yesterday when my boss made a decision that set off a firestorm! It's too long to go into, but it got mostly resolved today. There are just a lot of chronic issues that have made my department pretty dysfunctional, and it's not my boss's fault because she unknowingly walked into it when she started 2 years ago. I just want to get through the rest of this semester! On that note, Happy Friday! __________________ Beth aka Toaster (she/her) *Follow me @YogiBethC* YouTube\|Instagram\|Facebook And yes, I am Reviewer Dr. Beth on Amazon.

04-03-21, 11:13 AM
Pat58 VF Supporter Join Date: May 2002 Location: Connecticut	Hi everyone! It seems like a decent weekend is on tap. I went out wearing a sweatshirt hoodie and my down vest instead of a coat and scarf, and plan to visit osprey nest #11 soon. Last night featured Jane Fonda's Walk Out level 2 walk. I had planned to start Kassandra's PM Yoga challenge but ran out of time. I'll try to catch up tomorrow morning. Have a lovely day everyone!